Post-Study Work Rights Extended by Two years

Monday 27 February 2023
On 22 February 2023, the Australian Government announced that International graduates with eligible qualifications will gain an additional two years of post-study work rights from 1 July 2023. The government also revealed the cap on working hours will be increased from 40 hours per fortnight to 48 hours per fortnight from the same date for International students.
Post-Study Work Rights Extended by Two years

Extended post-study work rights are intended for international students graduating with degrees linked to workforce shortages in Australia.

Under the Temporary Graduate Work visa (subclass 485), the post-study ‘stay and work’ period for eligible graduates of listed qualifications will increase, as follows: 

  • Four years for Bachelor degree graduates, up from two years previously
  • Five years for Master degree graduates, up from three years previously
  • Six years for doctoral graduates, up from four years previously.

The extension is in addition to the existing additional one to two years of work rights for eligible students who study, live and work in regional areas.

The new extensions will apply from 1 July 2023. 

Eligibility

To address the ongoing Australian skill shortage, the extended post-study work rights will apply to graduates in in-demand sectors.

Students will be eligible for this extension if:

  • they meet all the eligibility criteria for the Post-Study Work stream of the Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) and
  • their qualification is on the list of eligible qualifications.

In addition, one of the following must also apply if students:

  • hold a Temporary Graduate visa (Post-Study Work stream) on 1 July 2023, or
  • have lodged an application for a Temporary Graduate visa (Post-Study Work stream) by 1 July 2023, or
  • lodge an application for a Temporary Graduate visa (Post-Study Work stream) after 1 July 2023.

If a student holds a Temporary Graduate visa (Post-Study Work stream) that expires before 1 July 2023, and hold an eligible qualification, they can still apply for this extension.

Eligible qualifications

The full list of identified occupations from the 2022 Skills Priority List is available at the Department of Education website. The list of occupations and qualifications will be monitored and reviewed on an annual basis.

Here are a few of the more popular eligible occupations:

  • Registered nurse– Various specialisations including Aged care, Disability care, Medical practice, Mental health, Midwife etc
  • Engineer– Various specialisations including Software, Structural, Civil, Electrical, Environmental etc
  • Web and systems – Various specialisations including Web developer, Systems analyst, Multimedia, Cyber security analyst, ICT Business analyst etc
  • Teacher– Various specialisations including Early childhood, Primary school, Secondary school, Special needs, Vocational education etc
  • Medical – Pharmacist, Dentist, OT, Physiotherapist, Speech Pathologist, GP, various specialists, Psychologists

Please Note: this list is subject to change and will be reviewed annually

In an official statement, Home Affairs Minister Clare O’Neil said: “Enabling students that gain an education in Australia to stay longer and contribute to our economy benefits us all. We are targeting the skills Australia needs most, including health, teaching, engineering and agricultural fields.”

Ask us for assistance on how you can best access these new changes, we help students to find the right course in Australia to suit their career aspirations.

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